“Our supporting characters keep reminding our protagonist of his goal, of where he’s headed on the Hero’s Journey. This is dialogue that does not stand still but moves the story forward with each scene.” (Gloria Kempton, Write Great Fiction – Dialogue)
Writing Exercise: Dialogue as a Catalyst for Character and Plot
Key Writing Techniques Illustrated in the Quotation:
1. Dialogue as Forward Momentum – Conversations between characters should not be static; they must advance the protagonist’s journey, reinforcing motivations, conflicts, or obstacles.
2. Supporting Characters as Mirrors and Catalysts – Secondary characters should not merely exist but should challenge, remind, or provoke the protagonist, serving as active participants in shaping the story.
3. Thematic Echoes in Dialogue – Effective dialogue subtly reinforces the protagonist’s central struggle, creating a sense of cohesion and resonance across scenes.
Writing Prompt:
“Echoes of the Road Ahead”
Write a 500-word scene in which your protagonist is at a crossroads—literally or figuratively—facing self-doubt, temptation, or distraction from their main goal. They engage in conversation with two different supporting characters who, through their distinct perspectives, remind or challenge the protagonist’s path forward.
• One character should reinforce the protagonist’s goal, intentionally or not, pushing them back toward their intended direction.
• The other character should introduce doubt, offering an enticing alternative or raising an uncomfortable truth.
The scene must be driven by dialogue rather than exposition. Subtext should play a role—what is not said is as important as what is.
Evaluation Criteria for a Strong Response:
• Purposeful Dialogue: Every exchange moves the protagonist’s journey forward rather than serving as filler.
• Character-Driven Conversations: The supporting characters should feel distinct, with their own motives, rather than existing solely as mouthpieces for the plot.
• Subtext and Nuance: The scene should contain tension beneath the surface—what the protagonist says may differ from what they feel.
• Pacing and Rhythm: The dialogue should have a natural flow, avoiding overly explanatory or unnatural speech patterns.
Strong Example:
Protagonist: “I’m just saying… maybe it’s not worth it.”
Friend: “You think quitting now makes it hurt less? Like you won’t wake up tomorrow and wish you had just held on a little longer?”
Protagonist: “That’s not what I—”
Friend: “Then what? Because from where I’m sitting, you’re just scared.”
Protagonist: “And you’re not?”
Friend: “Of course I am. But fear isn’t a reason to stop.”
Here, the friend acts as a catalyst, challenging the protagonist’s hesitation rather than merely agreeing or serving as a passive listener.
Weak Example:
Protagonist: “I don’t know if I should go through with this.”
Friend: “You totally should.”
Protagonist: “But what if it’s the wrong choice?”
Friend: “I think you’ll figure it out.”
This dialogue lacks depth, conflict, and forward motion—it doesn’t press the protagonist to confront their own doubts meaningfully.
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping/Revision:
1. Do the supporting characters feel like individuals with their own agendas, or do they exist solely to serve the protagonist?
2. Does each line of dialogue push the scene forward, or are there moments where the conversation stalls?
3. What layers of subtext exist? Could the characters say less and imply more?
4. Does the protagonist’s emotional state shift from the beginning to the end of the conversation?
5. How does this scene resonate with the protagonist’s larger journey—does it reinforce theme and conflict?
Recommended Reading:
Excerpt from Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates – The dialogue between Frank and April Wheeler is a masterclass in how conversation reveals inner conflict, reinforces character goals, and creates dramatic tension.
This exercise should take about two hours—one hour for drafting the dialogue-driven scene, and another hour for revision with a focus on tightening exchanges and enhancing subtext.
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